Dear Friends,
In recent weeks, as the Democratic Party further entrenches itself in the support of late-term abortion to the point of infanticide, I have often found myself feeling angry and disgusted toward these elected officials who seem so lacking in basic human decency. (If these politicians were standing in the room where a late-term abortion was taking place or where a baby was literally born alive after a failed abortion, would they still hold the same view? One has to wonder...)
During such highly-charged emotional times in public life that we are currently in, I've found it very easy to demonize and dehumanize these pro-abortion elected officials in my own mind. We human beings have a tendency to condemn without a second thought, and condemnation can quickly become personal. You've probably heard it many times before, but it bears repeating: we must condemn actions, not people. But there's something else we must do as pro-life Christians that goes beyond condemnation of actions, and it's more important: prayer. Our Savior Himself commanded it: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:43-45).
Are we praying every day for Andrew Cuomo, for Ralph Northam, for Nancy Pelosi, for Chuck Schumer, for all other elected officials who publicly support abortion, that they will have a change of heart? As Christians, prayer must be our very first impulse whenever we face any kind of challenge, or before we do anything at all, for that matter (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When we feel powerless to affect change for good, prayer gives us peace of mind to know that we are doing something. For we know that God listens to and answers our prayers (1 Peter 3:12).
Thank you for your prayers and for your continued support of FRC and the family.
Sincerely,
Dan Hart
Managing Editor for Publications
Family Research Council
FRC Media
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Hotel Trans: Check In Any Time, But Never Leave – Cathy Ruse
Religious Liberty
Religious Liberty in the Public Square
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Judge says Tampa ban on conversion therapy may violate therapists' free speech rights – Avery Anapol, The Hill
International Religious Freedom
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Life
Abortion
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Planned Parenthood Made $245 Million Last Year Killing Babies in Abortions – Lauretta Brown, LifeNews
Vermont Abortion Bill Goes Further than Virginia and New York's – Wesley J. Smith, National Review
New York, Abortion, and a Short Route to Chaos – Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire
Bookstore Owner Makes Viral Statement About New York Abortion Law – Mary Margaret Olohan, The Daily Caller
Infanticide Becomes Justifiable – Wesley J. Smith, First Things
Abortion's Devastating Impact Upon Black Americans – Arthur Goldberg, Public Discourse
Adoption
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Marriage
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Resources for Building a Marriage that Lasts – Alysse ElHage, Family Studies
How We Saved Our Marriage in the Final Hour – Her View From Home
A Finance Guide for Married Couples – Phillip Holmes, The Gospel Coalition
Don't Put Your Hope in Date Night – Emily Jensen and Laura Wifler, The Gospel Coalition
More Tips to Promote a Strong Marriage – Jim Graves, National Catholic Register
My Husband Isn't Romantic, But He's Still Mr. Right – Jenny Albers, Her View From Home
Parenting
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Economics/Education
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Faith/Character/Culture
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The Internet and Satan's Game – Bishop Robert Barron, Word on Fire
You Don't Have to Have a Well-Formed Opinion on Everything – Trevin Wax, The Gospel Coalition
Psychology as Indoctrination: Girls Rule, Boys Drool? – Leonard Sax, Family Studies
Are Smartphones and Social Media Hurting Our Kids? – Charles Fain Lehman, Family Studies
A Different Kind of Love – Nancy Flory, The Stream
Human Sexuality
The Left is Shunning Liberals With Concerns About Transgender Agenda – Ryan Anderson, The Stream
Pressure to conform – Jamie Dean, WORLD
True love waits: Suggestions for a more holistic purity culture – Alex Ward, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Cohabitation Doesn't Compare: Marriage, Cohabitation, and Relationship Quality – W. Bradford Wilcox, Family Studies
6 ways pastors can care for victims of sexual abuse – Trillia Newbell, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
Human Trafficking
How to Spot Sex Trafficking; Super Bowl Sunday and Beyond – Tiffany Powell, National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Nevada Has the Highest Rates of an Illegal Sex Trade in the Nation – National Center on Sexual Exploitation
Pornography
What kids aren't telling parents about porn on social media – Gail Dines, The Boston Globe
Seeing is (Not) Believing: How Viewing Pornography Shapes the Religious Lives of Young Americans – Samuel L. Perry and George M. Hayward, Social Forces
Want To Connect More Deeply With Other People? Consider Quitting Porn – Fight the New Drug